What distinctly stands the new line apart is its more casual, outdoorsy vibe, simplified perhaps to appeal more to millennials.
Mountains and their majesty are the very spirit of each Montblanc timepiece and writing instrument. This year, it is paying tribute to the very peaks that gave it its identity with an overhaul of a classic collection that honours the spirit of mountain climbing as well as the heroes that fearlessly try and conquer the highest, most treacherous ones in the world.
The new line of Montblanc 1858 is a tribute to true adventurers encompassing wristwatches as well as one limited edition pocketwatch. Its name pays tribute to the date of the foundation of the Minerva manufacture; Montblanc is founded in 1906.
What distinctly stands the new line apart is its more casual, outdoorsy vibe, simplified perhaps to appeal more to millennials. Some notable changes include degradation of dial shades, resized hands and a new style strap knowned as sfumato, which involves the repeat of the dial colour degradation on the strap, resulting in the edges of the leather looking darker than its centre.
Each are created with everything a true mountaineer will need for their next conquest, from power reserves and to international time.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere
This innovative timepiece is dedicated to the Seven Summits Challenge – the holy grail of climbers. To date, less than 500 athletes have managed to reach the highest peak on each continent. The combination of materials such as steel and ceramic underlines the high quality and exclusiveness of this timepiece. The dial features the world’s seven summits, which are marked with red dots on two turning globes. These are also engraved on the case back.The timepiece features a new world-time complication developed by Montblanc watchmakers in Villeret: two domed globes that complete a full rotation in 24 hours as they turn in opposite directions. Both are surrounded by a scale with the 24 time zones, along with a day and night indicator in contrasting colours.
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition
The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition has a 13.21 Calibre – a direct heir of the iconic 13.20 Calibre, which was developed by Minerva in the 1920s specifically for use in wristwatches. The MB M13.21 features the iconic V-shaped chronograph bridge along with the iconic Minerva arrow decorated by hand. The timepiece is characterised by a sapphire crystal glass box, domed resized cathedral-shaped hands with SuperLumiNova®, luminescent Arabic numerals and the historic Montblanc logo. Sapphire crystal on the case back reveals the intricate beauty of the Montblanc MMonopusher Chronograph MB Calibre MB 29.25
Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph
The Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph combines aesthetics with precise chronographic functions. The Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph is the first in the collection to have bi-pushers for activation. Its 42 mm case has both a polished and satin finishing and is made of sapphire crystal glass, highlighting the robustness and contemporary look of the watch. Engraved in the case back are a compass, two crossed ice pickaxes and the Mont Blanc mountain. The black dial provides an elegant backdrop for the bi-compass counter positioned at 3 and 9 o'clock, reminiscent of Minerva’s historic chronographs. The dial has luminescent Arabic numerals and slightly domed, cathedral-shaped hands, which have been enhanced with beige SuperLumiNova®. A high-quality black and grey striped “NATO” strap completes the contemporary design.
Montblanc 1858 Automatic
The Montblanc 1858 Automatic features all the distinctive design codes of the collection while introducing a smaller case size. The purist design and excellent readability of this vintage-inspired dial is reminiscent of its Minerva heritage. This watch boasts a new interpretation of the historical Minerva timepieces with a black dial and beige luminescent Arabic numerals as well as precise railway minute tracks. Elegance and improved readability are combined in the slightly domed shape of the luminescent cathedral-shaped hands. Housed in a 40-mm stainless steel case with slim curved horns featuring polished and satin-finishing, the Montblanc 1858 Automatic has been enhanced with a bronze bezel and fluted crown for a distinct vintage look. A picture of the Mont Blanc has been engraved on the case back along with a compass and two crossed ice pickaxes, to celebrate the iconic peak and the spirit of mountain exploration.
Montblanc 1858 Pocketwatch Limited Edition
The Montblanc 1858 Pocket Watch Limited Edition honours the 160th anniversary of Minerva with its new MB M16.24 Calibre that features beautifully hand-crafted monopusher movement and the iconic V-shaped bridge and Minerva arrow. Composed of over 50 elements, the versatile and adaptable case can be transformed into a wristwatch. The 60 mm pocket watch is made of Grade 2 titanium and combines polished and satin finishing. It features a unique red central hand coated with SuperLumiNova® indicating the time on a 24-hour scale and has a dedicated minute track. A built-in compass can be accessed by opening it up to lay flat on a map for planning adventures. Its back features an engraving of the four cardinal points, which are enhanced with SuperLumiNova®. The dial offers high readability and performance during the day and at night. It is made of dumortierite, named after famed French explorer Eugène Dumortier, who discovered it in the Alps in 1881. This natural mineral gives the dial a unique blue lustre.
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(Photos: Montblanc)